The circle of influence includes anything that is directly under your control. These are the things that you can actually change or do something about. For example, you can simplify your life, decrease your needs and start saving a year’s worth of living expenses as a backup for any unexpected layoffs. r

Then life throws you a major health challenge, the end of a relationship, the death of somebody close to you and an unexpected job loss. Now what? Will you turn to a book, seek professional help, and meditate some more or just fall apart at the seams? This is when you get to find out what really works and what doesn’t. r